Opinion | For Hillary Clinton a possible fourth act - the presidency
Only a brave person would bet against the popular and respected Clinton lining up for the presidency in 2016 after a welcome break
The saying that there are "no second acts in American lives" doesn't stand up to the great renaissance of Hillary Clinton.
Eight years in the White House as first lady to husband Bill ended in the pain of the Monica Lewinsky affair. Then, after election as a senator representing New York, came the bitterness of her failed bid to beat Barack Obama to the Democratic nomination for president back in 2008.
Where once she was handicapped by her polarising views, now she has emerged, after four years as Obama's secretary of state, as one of the most popular and respected politicians on the American stage. Her popularity is in fact only just topped by that of first lady Michelle Obama.
Now comes the potential fourth act. Will she run for president in 2016?
It is one of the hottest questions in Washington. Clinton has repeatedly signalled her intention to stand down no matter who wins Tuesday's election.
Diplomats and State Department aides say she often talks about how tired she is and how she is looking forward to a good break and evaluating her options.